Andreas Helgstrand's former Danish team horse Akeem Foldager has made its comeback to the show ring since selling to Danish born American Charlotte Jorst in February 2015. The combination won the Grand Prix at a local show in California.
On Saturday 17 October Jorst and Akeem made their show debut at a local show at Spirit Equestrian north of Los Angeles. The pair scored 72.7% to win the Open Grand Prix.
"I had the best day today. I took Akeem and Adventure out for their first Grand Prix. Both were outstanding. They were so happy and confident and were smiling through the whole test. It was so fun. Akeem was so nervous he was sweating, but one minute into the test he decided he was fine and was wonderful," Jorst rejoiced.
Akeem Foldager is a 13-year old Danish warmblood gelding (by Akinos x Loran x Astaire) and was competed by Andreas Helgstrand on the Danish team at the 2013 European Championships in Herning. He was previously owned by Helgstrand in partnership with Hanni Toosbuy Kasprzak.
Helgstrand quit competing Akeem in April 2014 when Andreas was accused of animal abuse after presenting Akeem with a blue tongue at his open house day. Jorst acquired the tall dark bay gelding as a Rio Olympic hopeful.
Jorst imported the gelding into the U.S.A last February, but their show debut had to be put on hold as the horse got injured and needed time to rehabilitate. Jorst worked hard on getting her horse fit again and especially happy and healthy.
"We do tons of trails with him, pretty much every day to get him in this shape. Just walking for hours. He's gotten used to water, rocks, golfers.I love that horse," she told Eurodressage.
Jorst trains with U.S. Olympian Guenter Seidel near San Diego, California.
Photo © Whitney Harrington
Related Links
Charlotte Jorst Acquires Akeem Foldager
Vitalis Sold to Paul Schockemohle and Lone Boegh Henriksen
Coming to Hagen: Akeem Foldager Makes an Entry at the 2013 CDI Hagen